Preaching and fasting

If you have been wondering where the sermons of the past Sunday's have disappeared from this blog here's an answer. For family service I don't write the sermon at all. Instead, Leigh Ann and sometimes Hanna and I plan it together and she then takes over for the final touches and does a marvellous job at it, too.

On the other Sundays I am now gradually moving towards not writing the whole sermon on paper - well, computer - but rather having less on paper and speaking more freely at the service. I think this serves the congregation better even though I repeat myself and make blunders. There just is such a huge difference between reading a text and talking without paper. I feel more able to interact and I hope that is something that is a blessing for the congregation. As a result, for now at least, I no longer have a sermon for you to read after Sunday since it does not exist word to word anywhere.

I've been wanting to be able to preach like that for the longest time and now I seem to be able to do so. I'm not sure what has changed nor when but I am pleased about it. I've always liked doing sermons but now I like the delivering of them even better.

Yesterday I talked about fasting and said that I had not yet decided what I would like to add in to my daily routine during this fasting period before Christmas. As I got home the idea came to me and what I will try my best to do every moring in addtion to praying is to sing a hymn or a carol or a Taizé song.

There are two reasons for this. One being the fact that for me singing is one of the most wonderful ways of praising God and I don't usually sing at home and I think I'd like to. The second reason is our child and my wish to get her acquainted with the music that I love so much. There is something so precious hidden in spiritual music that nothing else can replace. In times of trouble and doubt the tune and words of a hymn can be such a huge comfort and at times even bring you back to God. So, by singing to her already now I hope to give her that.

We are, by the way, on our way to our next check up at the "neuvola" tomorrow at 10. The little one is as I write this actively kicking aroun in my stomach so that is very reassuring but I have to admit that I am a bit scared like always. It is really good to have regular check ups but it is also scary because you so much want everything to be ok but you cannot know that for sure. On the other hand, it is like with everything else that is unknown. You just have to brace yourself and face it which is what I'll have to do, too, tomorrow. AND pray.